DISPLAY TO BENEFIT FILM ON TRAIN STATION CENTRAL TERMINAL ARTIFACTS SHOWN
November 9, 1994
by: MIKE VOGEL - News Staff Reporter
Memorabilia and documents saved from Buffalo's landmark Central Terminal have moved from the East Side to downtown Buffalo to join storefront displays marking New York State's Archives Week.
Local filmmaker Michael Fornasiero, who is producing a documentary on the towering but derelict train station, assembled the window display at the former L.L. Berger store to illustrate links between people, artifacts, records and the once-bustling terminal.
"Everything in the display came from the Central Terminal," he said. "The intention was to re-create a room from the station. That way it's hard to pass by without wondering what's going on. . . "
Suspended photographs offer glimpses into past activity, and documents -- some of them showing signs of age or damage -- provide records of that activity. A supervisor's safety meeting sign forms a backdrop, and the "floor" is littered with clutter and debris reminiscent of the state of the terminal today.
Fomasiero said he hopes the display, which will remain in the Main Street windows through Monday, will prompt local residents to take part in his film project. His documentary, he added, will be titled " At the Buffalo," a reference to the large bison statue that often served as a meeting place in the huge and crowded main concourse.
He has distributed fliers in English and Polish throughout the area, asking: "Do you have a memory of the New York Central Terminal?" More than 400 local organizations, community centers, libraries, retirement homes and historical societies have been asked to display posters.
The filmmaker is hoping to include interesting stories, films or photographs of the terminal at Paderewski and Memorial drives in his film, a project he has been working on for the past two years.
He added that anyone with recollections to share can call the film project
line, 877-8288, or send a response to Central Terminal Documentary, Box 271,
Buffalo 14207